The Boyzone and Westlife singers, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, have been making waves in the music industry for almost a decade with their collaborative project, Boyzlife. But despite their success, there's no rivalry between the two acts, according to Duffy. In fact, the pair have a unique and heartwarming dynamic that has kept fans entertained for years.
'They're playing stadiums and we're playing theatre halls,' Duffy quipped to BBC News NI. 'They're doing 50,000 a night and we're doing 2,000. I'm sure they're happy enough.'
The pair joined forces in 2016 and are about to embark on their latest UK and Ireland tour. But it wasn't always easy for Duffy, who spent much of his time in Boyzone as a backing vocalist. He had to relearn how to sing Boyzone songs for Boyzlife, and admitted his confidence was 'shot' when the duo first began touring. However, with McFadden's help, he found it easier to learn Westlife vocals because he 'had to unlearn Boyzone to relearn it'.
Despite their different paths, both acts have had their fair share of success. Boyzone had a number of chart-topping songs in the UK and Ireland, while Westlife have sold over 55 million records worldwide and had 14 UK number one hits. But it's their unique collaboration that has kept fans entertained and eager for more.
'We get excited for getting out and doing it live. I don't think I could do this job if we didn't have the live shows that we do,' McFadden said. And it's this passion and energy that has kept the duo going for almost a decade. After all, they've got more control over their schedules and a greater focus on enjoyment compared to life in a boyband during the 1990s.
So, what advice would they give their younger selves? Duffy would stress the importance of thinking carefully before speaking, while McFadden would tell his younger self to 'buy bitcoin when it came out'. It seems the pair have learned a lot from their experiences, and are eager to share their wisdom with the next generation of musicians.
